The Neuse River, one of North Carolina's most valuable estuarine systems, is in danger. The Neuse is highly valuable for its commercial and sport fishing, but it is vulnerable to algal blooms. Side effects of these blooms are toxicity, odor, and fish kills, along with deteriorated water quality for recreational, agricultural, and industrial use.

In the last ten years, Atlantic Coast striped bass has been declining rapidly while the pressure from the commercial fishing industry has increased. North Carolina Sea Grant projects are attempting to replenish stocks with hybrids of striped bass.